Two Color Morphs Of White-throated Sparrows

November 15, 2025

The white-striped morph of the White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis). This morph has a bold black and white cap, along with bright yellow lores (area between and just above the eye and bill), crisp pale gray breast, and a pure snow white throat.

Males and females of this morph sing more frequently, are more aggressive, and are more territorial than tan-striped morphs. White-striped females mate with tan-striped males, and white-striped males mate with tan-striped females. The white-striped morphs give less care and attention to their young than those of the tan-striped morphs.

The tan-striped morph of the White-throated Sparrow. This morph has a dark chocolate brown and tan cap, along with small dull yellow lores, a breast that is pale tan with medium brown speckles, and a whitish throat that has some small speckles.

Both males and females of this morph are quiet and not aggressive. Males of the white-striped morph mate with tan-striped females. Males of the tan-striped morph mate with white-striped females. The tan-striped morph of both sexes give more care and attention to their young than those of the white-striped morph.

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Published by

Brenda Clements Jones

Brenda is a certified Virginia Master Naturalist, a Habitat Defender for Shenandoah National Park, and a devoted fan of Mother Nature. She lives in a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Shenandoah National Park, and hikes up to the higher elevations of her mountain often to see what nature is up to. Her constant hiking companion is a camera that captures nature as it unfolds through the seasons. It’s her goal to share the natural world around her through her photographs.